asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that Mianraí Teoranta has informed the trade unions catering for the men employed at Avoca mines that they intend to dismiss about one-third of the workers employed, approximately 30 men; and, if so, and in view of the fact that the men and the union officials are not satisfied that there is a good and valid reason for the dismissals, whether he will take steps to ensure that the men are kept in employment at the mines as there is no alternative employment in the district.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Avoca Mines.
The responsibility for determining the manner in which the exploratory works at Avoca should be conducted rests with Mianraí Teoranta who have the benefit of the advice of expert consultants. The company have informed me that these consultants have advised that the underground work at West Avoca is approaching the point at which all the information which can usefully be obtained by tunnelling and underground drilling will have been obtained, and that further information required about the extent of the deposits including those at East Avoca can best be obtained by diamond drilling from the surface. It is too soon to say with certainty when redundancy may arise or how many men may be involved. It is the company's intention to retain in employment the maximum possible number of men experienced in mining work, so as to have a skilled labour force available for employment on the commercial working of the mine, should such working prove feasible following the completion of the present exploration scheme.
Might I ask the Minister in this connection does he recollect on a particular Sunday morning, at about 12 noon, in Avoca, havingmade a statement to the effect that over 100 men at least would be employed on the Avoca mines?
What I said was that the local Fine Gael branch had recommended to my predecessor that these mines should be closed down.
That was contradicted by the person to whom you said it.
I have still his letter— a manuscript.
That was contradicted.
Mr. O'Higgins
You lost the election.
I would ask the Minister if he recollects having made a statement in Avoca, in my hearing and the hearing of over 300 people, that over 100 men would be employed?
There is a further answer to that. If work on these mines had not been stopped for 18 months, they might now be at a stage of commercial development when many more than 100 men would be employed.
Mr. O'Higgins
Would the Minister debate that in Avoca?
That is where I said it.
Mr. O'Higgins
You ran away from Avoca having made that statement and you did not get a vote out of it.
The Tánaiste will not get away with that sort of work in Avoca mines.